Shared and distinct electroencephalogram microstate abnormalities across schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Brain Dynamics

Background:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates are stable voltage topographies reflecting brain dynamics.
• Altered EEG microstates are observed in schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD).
• Subsecond timescale whole-brain dynamics differences among SCZ, BD, and MDD remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare EEG microstate transition patterns in individuals with SCZ, BD, MDD, and healthy controls (HCs).
• To elucidate similarities and differences in subsecond brain dynamics across major psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 1112 participants: 380 SCZ, 330 BD, 212 MDD, and 190 HCs.
• Resting-state EEG data analyzed using microstate analysis.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder exhibit distinct EEG microstate transition patterns.
• All patient groups showed increased transitions between microstates A and B compared to HCs.
• SCZ and MDD groups had reduced A-C and C-A transitions; SCZ showed increased C-D and D-C transitions.

Conclusions:

• EEG microstate transition abnormalities are implicated in major psychiatric disorders.
• Findings highlight altered neural asset distribution and microstate transitions in SCZ, BD, and MDD.
• Provides insights into subsecond timescale brain dynamics in psychiatric conditions.